Two dead after plane ditches in sea off Jersey

Carl Whiteley and his wife had a home in Newquay and were on holiday when the crash occurred

Two people have died after a light aircraft ditched into the sea off Jersey.

The pair have been named as Derby businessman Carl Whiteley, 56, and his wife Kathryn.

The alarm was raised about 10:00 BST after the Cornwall-based Cessna hit the water about five miles from the airport on its way from Dinan in France.

Jersey Police is investigating the crash, along with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

The plane had been kept at Perranporth Airfield in Cornwall by Mr Whiteley, the airfield confirmed.

The couple had planned to return to Perranporth from Jersey on Wednesday afternoon, according to their flight plan.

Brett Hannon, who with Mr Whiteley ran financial advisers Belmont Regency in Derby, said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.

"Carl jointly founded the company in 1982 with myself and apart from being business partners for over 31 years, Carl was a close friend who will be greatly missed.

"The fondest memories will remain with myself and our staff of our dear departed colleague."

Heavy fog hampered the search and rescue mission carried out by the RNLI, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, Channel Island Air Search, a British navy frigate HMS Northumberland and helicopters from both the British and French coastguard.